MX-5 equiv car for £5k, but 2 + 2....

[Andehh]

As per title, looking to replace my big F10 530D with something just smaller, cheaper and less risky of mega £££ if something goes wrong. We also have 2 big diesels in the house now, and simply don't need to. I do a short commute then long journeys every other weekend to pick up my daughter (which ill probably use wife's new S max for)

I like the mx5 (obviously|), but wife insists on at least having some form of rear seats for emergencies (still debating this one...)

No more then several thousand miles a year so not too worried about fuel, but reliability is 'up there'. Would like ''interesting'' and would trade 'driving dynamics' for outright straight line speed.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

[RSTurboPaul]

Do Audi TTs and Porsche Caymans have rear seats?

I know 911s have rear seats

[DoubleD]

RSTurboPaul said:

Porsche Caymans

For 5k? + not enough seats

[ajprice]

Caymans start at around £10k on Autotrader. Audi TT would be fine though I'm not sure how good the back seats are for normal actual human people to sit in.

Mini Cooper/Cooper S, or Fiat/Abarth 500? Yes they're small hatches not coupes, but they're an option and should be good fun.

[Gareth1974]

Does the MX-5 ‘experience’ you’re after include being a soft top? This would rule out the TT, which only has rear seats in th coupe body.

Handling wise, an RX-8 could fit the bill, but the running costs could be an issue.

[2Btoo]

Cayman / Boxster both 2 seaters only.

TT coupe would have (tiny) rear seats but are disappointing to drive. Buy a warm Golf (they are pretty much the same car) and have some practicality as well.

An old 944/968 would fit the bill but may be too old for your tastes. And the budget would mean you'd get a rough one.

Hot hatch?

[feef]

Gareth1974 said:

Does the MX-5 ‘experience’ you’re after include being a soft top? This would rule out the TT, which only has rear seats in th coupe body.

Handling wise, an RX-8 could fit the bill, but the running costs could be an issue.

I'd also suggest the RX8

Consider too, the Alfa Brera. For 5K you could get the 3.2 with the Q4 4x4 system

[RSTurboPaul]

DoubleD said:

For 5k? + not enough seats

D'oh, clearly I fail at reading on a caffeine-free day!


Is it possible to get an A4 convertible for that money? Or a convertible Golf/EOS thing? Although the OP did say 'interesting'...

[Deerfoot]

ajprice said:

Mini Cooper S

..Is exactly what I thought of after reading the OP.

[RSTurboPaul]

Some Autotrader trawling for <£5k convertibles with <8sec 0-60 suggests:

MINI Cooper S (convertible or not)
Volve C70
Astra 2.0 Turbo
Saab 9-3
CLK 280 through to 430
BMW 125i MSport (Cat D)
BMW 630i
BMW 3-series (various models)
Audi S4 4.2 Quattro

[Strudul]

Two MX-5s

[ZX10R NIN]

No MX5 but these are good four seater transport:

CLK350 Avantgarde Sport/Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

335i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

When it comes to outright handling then the Clio RS ticks all the boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

or the F1 Megane:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/pl/track/click?min_en...